Enough Bully Boy Politics! U.S. Must Open Dialogue with Iran.
It's time for America to admit that there can be no peace in the Middle East without the support of Iran. Iran has long been a major political player in the Middle East and will continue to be so. It's well past time for America to shirk it's bully boy politics and admit that dialogue with Iran is essential to peace in the Middle East.
A moderate secularist Shiite, Chalabi criticized secret talks between Iraq's Sunni Arab-led insurgency and US officials as destabilizing to Iraq's fragile government, and rightfully so. If democracy in Iraq is to succeed, the US must stop undercutting Iraq's efforts to build a government of its own design. America's template for Iraq has failed. Given our vast cultural and historical differences, it's laughable that the US thought Iraq would meekly follow a path we mapped out. If the US is to honor the democratic ideals we espouse, we must be ready to accept the version of democracy Iraq chooses to create.
Equally important, the US must recognize that Iraq's success will depend on the support of countries with which we may not have stellar (or any) relations. "Iran and Turkey, both powerful neighbors of Iraq, must be involved in the process to help Iraq's security situation improve and its democratic process and economy develop," Chalabi said. As one of the most modern and powerful countries in the Middle East, Iran must be allowed to play its part in the successful rehabilitation of Iraq. The US has squandered any capital it may have held in the Middle East and, like it or not, Iraq will have to forge strong alliances with its more powerful neighbors if it is to survive. The only way for the US to remain a part of the process is to open political dialogue with Iran.
The Bush administration's bully boy foreign policy has been a complete failure. It's time for US citizens and Washington to wake up and insist that a more conciliatory foreign policy be instituted. The US cannot control the world by sheer force of will or might as we've all seen by the near total erosion of America's stature in the world community. No matter how hard George Bush and his cronies push, the world political community will push back. Sanctions do not work. Dialogue, inclusion, trade, joint project do work. You don't solve problems by beating up all comers on the world's playground. You solve problems -- on the playground and the world stage -- by working together, trying to find your commonalities, and understanding and accepting your differences.
Iran is an excellent place to start. US dialogue with Iran now could prevent another North Korean debacle, increase our stature in the Middle East, and help to bring an end to the turmoil in Iraq. Time is running out, however. Iran is a major player in the Middle East and will be instrumental in Iraq's redevelopment whether the US likes it or not. Iran doesn't need us nearly as much as we need them. The US still has enough power and clout to offer Iran powerful incentives for working together. But with each passing week, the US has less to offer Iran and stands to be shut out of the Middle East entirely. It's time for the US to act positively for a change and open dialogue with Iran.
"If America enhances the Iraqi army, improves its intelligence, gives Iraqis and their government more authority, and opens talks with neighbors such as Iran, coalition forces could begin their withdrawal in less than two years," said Ahmad Chalabi, a former Pentagon favorite who was once Iraq's deputy prime minister, in an Associated Press article posted from London.
A moderate secularist Shiite, Chalabi criticized secret talks between Iraq's Sunni Arab-led insurgency and US officials as destabilizing to Iraq's fragile government, and rightfully so. If democracy in Iraq is to succeed, the US must stop undercutting Iraq's efforts to build a government of its own design. America's template for Iraq has failed. Given our vast cultural and historical differences, it's laughable that the US thought Iraq would meekly follow a path we mapped out. If the US is to honor the democratic ideals we espouse, we must be ready to accept the version of democracy Iraq chooses to create.
Equally important, the US must recognize that Iraq's success will depend on the support of countries with which we may not have stellar (or any) relations. "Iran and Turkey, both powerful neighbors of Iraq, must be involved in the process to help Iraq's security situation improve and its democratic process and economy develop," Chalabi said. As one of the most modern and powerful countries in the Middle East, Iran must be allowed to play its part in the successful rehabilitation of Iraq. The US has squandered any capital it may have held in the Middle East and, like it or not, Iraq will have to forge strong alliances with its more powerful neighbors if it is to survive. The only way for the US to remain a part of the process is to open political dialogue with Iran.
The Bush administration's bully boy foreign policy has been a complete failure. It's time for US citizens and Washington to wake up and insist that a more conciliatory foreign policy be instituted. The US cannot control the world by sheer force of will or might as we've all seen by the near total erosion of America's stature in the world community. No matter how hard George Bush and his cronies push, the world political community will push back. Sanctions do not work. Dialogue, inclusion, trade, joint project do work. You don't solve problems by beating up all comers on the world's playground. You solve problems -- on the playground and the world stage -- by working together, trying to find your commonalities, and understanding and accepting your differences.
Iran is an excellent place to start. US dialogue with Iran now could prevent another North Korean debacle, increase our stature in the Middle East, and help to bring an end to the turmoil in Iraq. Time is running out, however. Iran is a major player in the Middle East and will be instrumental in Iraq's redevelopment whether the US likes it or not. Iran doesn't need us nearly as much as we need them. The US still has enough power and clout to offer Iran powerful incentives for working together. But with each passing week, the US has less to offer Iran and stands to be shut out of the Middle East entirely. It's time for the US to act positively for a change and open dialogue with Iran.
